If you love elephants, you will love the Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand. The animal sanctuary is about 40km from Chiang Mai and is home to over 100 rescued elephants and many other animals.
Before you visit, here are seven things to know about this beautiful place for the rescued animals of Southeast Asia.
1) The Asian Elephant Is In Danger of Extinction
According to the Conservation of Nature Red List, the Asian Elephant is on the most endangered species list. As of 2023, it is estimated that there will be only 30,000 to 50,000 Asian Elephants left in the wild.
The elephant population in Asia continues to decline due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflicts, and poaching.
2) About The Founder, Lek Chailert
The Elephant Nature Park (ENP) was founded by renowned Saengduean Chailert, known by her nickname, Lek. At an early age, she began to care for elephants when her grandfather gifted her an elephant named Thong Kham. She grew to raise and care for the elephant, which started her journey into elephant conservation.
In the early 1990s, Lek began rescuing injured, neglected, and elderly elephants. In 2003, she opened the Elephant Nature Park as a permanent homeland for the rescued elephants.
Lek has received numerous honors and awards for her elephant conservation work.
2010 - Women Heroes of Global Conservation (1of six women honored by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
2022 - Legion d’Honneur Award by President Macron
2005 - Time Magazine's Heroes of Asia
2001 - Ford Foundation "Hero Of The Planet"
2003, 2019 - Humane Society of the USA Genesis Award.
Lek Chailert is a remarkable woman doing historic conservation work.
In 2018, a documentary called Love And Bananas was released to record a daring 48-hour mission 500 miles across Thailand to rescue a 70-year-old captive blind Asian elephant and bring her to freedom.
3) The History Of The Rescued Elephants
It's important to understand the journey these rescued Elephants have endured. Many have been exposed to years of neglect, mistreatment, and abuse.
The stories about the abuse of elephants in Asia are horrific. Baby elephants are often snatched from their mothers at birth and put into a "domestication" process. Young elephants are often forced into a pen and tied with chains, beaten with rods, and stabbed with knives and nails until they comply. The abuse is designed to break their spirits and brutalize them into submission.
So brutal is this treatment of young elephants that many die before reaching adulthood.
For nearly all captive elephants, life involves great pain, fear, dehydration, malnutrition, abuse, and suffering. A life in the tourism and logging industry creates a lifetime of misery for the Asian Elephant.
Sadly, by the time the elephants are free to leave captivity, their bodies show a lifetime of damage and abuse, not to mention the decimation of their incredible spirit.
4) Save The Elephant Foundation
Saveelephant.org is Lek Chailert's foundation dedicated to protecting Asian Elephants. The foundation exists thanks to Lek's passion and tireless efforts to champion the rights of elephants in Asia, along with all animals in need.
Lek continues to be at the forefront of elephant rights issues, raising international awareness and working to advance their welfare.
Donations and sponsorships of elephants can be made through Saveelephant.org or one of their partners.
5) Know The Best Time To Visit & What To Bring
The best time to visit the Elephant Nature Park is October through April. The weather during those months is relatively cool and dry.
During the rainy season, the river can flood the Park, making it difficult to travel and tour the area.
Be sure to book your visit beforehand, as tours often sell out. There is a restaurant in the Park serving Western and Thai food.
Wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and always book your tour with reputable companies or through ENP.
Of course, don't forget your camera!
6) There Are Volunteer Opportunities For Those That Want A More Personal Experience
Half and full-day tours are available for tourists visiting Thailand who want to experience Elephant Nature Park.
For those who want to go deeper, there are also volunteer experiences. Volunteer At The Elephant Nature Park. Tourism to ENP directly benefits the lives and conditions of the rescued elephants.
Volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park is:
"A life enhancing opportunity of direct hands on conservation work in a unique program to help protect a highly endangered species. Volunteers leave with a proud sense of accomplishment and a deep satisfying feeling of having really done something positive. Volunteer at Elephant Nature Park, help to improve the plight of the Asian elephant and make a real contribution to conservation in Northern Thailand." ENP
7) The Elephant Nature Parks Rescues More Than Just Elephants
Save The Elephant Foundation has rescued over:
100 Elephants
700 Dogs
1600 Cats
130 Cows
100 Buffalos
400 Rabbits
30 Goats
150 Boars and more!
The Elephant Nature Park is an animal sanctuary dedicated to the well-being of many animals.
A Few Elephant Fun Facts
Elephants eat about 16 hours a day. Most elephants eat between 200 and 300 pounds of food daily, but some have been known to eat up to 600!
Elephants can desecrate 12-15 times a day, weighing up to 250 pounds!
Daily water consumption is 25-50 gallons per animal.
The elephant is pregnant for an average of 22 months.
On average, baby elephants weigh 200 – 300 pounds at birth.
The elephant is the national animal of Thailand.
Elephants have eyelashes.
Only male Asian elephants have large tusks. Female Asian elephants have small tushes that rarely extend beyond their lip line.
A Few More Photos From The Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park is a great experience for an animal and nature lover. Should you ever journey to Northern Thailand, put this gem on your list!
Are you looking for some fine art prints and gifts from Thailand? Visit my Art Shop for prints, gifts, and more!
XOXO
Marla